Kasteelbier Donker

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Ingelmunster, Belgium

Tan frothy head good carbonation dark red brown pour aroma raisin some caramel end yeast flavour sweet raisin plums and cherry a beautiful fruit bitter with a good flavour port wine sweetness like a tawny port there seems to be some fig in with all the sweetness careful of the alcohol the drink is a real taste pleaser finish bitter sweet wonderful tastes fruity lasting

On tap. An opaque dark cola color with a small tan head. Weak coffee aroma. Sweet, bitter, coffee, chocolate all-at-once taste. Very good taste with plenty of warmth after the swallow. Thin texture is surpirising given the ABV and almost cloying sweetness. Good stuff!

Poured into a trappist glass. Aromas were not very prominent. With some plum notes. Initial flavor of sweet malts and plums. Very good tasting beer. Very sweet.

Bottle to Tulip glass. Dark in color, malty with caramel notes. Delicious!

small bottle. Pours dark brown/red with a very thin head comprised of large bubbles. The aroma is sweet and very fruity with hints of banana, bubblegum, berries, and merlot. The mouthfeel is rich. Flavor is less sweet but still very juicy. This is remarkably vinous with lots of grapey red wine character. Subtle spices are here and there with some other fruit undertones. This is solid, rich, not excessive. I think it’s pretty dark good. I am very surprised to see it listed as 11% abv here.

Bottle from Microbar, drunk at home with tashi, 19th March 09. Dark brown, line of white head. Sugary caramel aroma with an undercurrent of mature cheddar. Very sweet and malty yet not overly heavy. Needs a sweet tooth to fully enjoy!

A few months of cellaring has already done some good to that beer I first thought awfully sweet. 5 months later, sweetnees might still prevail but its subtilities are getting more distinct. Medium-low carbonation, foamy at first, lasting laces, not watery but it is already getting thicker. Since I still have over 12 bottles left in my cellar (thanks to Bièropholie private import service), I will re-rate if time makes a (I hope positive) difference to this fine dessert-like brew.

(Bottle) Very dark beer with an off-white creamy head. Smells and tastes sweet, hints of syrup even. One of the best brown ales.